I know a lot of us reload a lot of different calibers, but I thought it would be interesting to find out what calibers folks are reloading most often (I’ll do another poll for rifle cartridges). Don’t see your most frequently loaded handgun cartridge? Please leave a comment!

Now if the question had been which caliber do you load the most of? It would have been a different answer. I load a greater variety loads for some calibers (like 38/357) and therefore have more setups/loading sessions for them. However, I tend to run more total rounds of the same load in one setup such as 45ACP 200gr WC and then let it set a while.

I had to check my records. As blackeagle603 said, wording can change the answer for me. I have loaded more .38 than anything, but that was my first handgun reload. That leaves .45 in 2nd, 9mm in 3rd, .40 in 4th, and .357 in 5th. I think 9mm will soon be my #1 though. I have added two 9mm’s to my collection this week (G17 and LC9) and have cleared out a few hundred rounds from my ammo safe pretty quickly!

I also find .45 the easiest – probably due to the size since I’m feeding cases and bullets by hand on my Hornady LNL with no fancy feeders like some of you lucky loaders.

40 S&W the most based upon inexpensive availability of brass mainly. All my boys shoot .40 and that seems to be their preferred round. Do load a lot of .41 mag for myself……it’s my favorite handgun round.

that is quite tricky question, I started with 9mm Luger, than i got .45ACP for a while….. so probably those 2 are the most re loaded calls. Recently i bought .40S&W that can be no.3. Now I’m looking to start with .500S&W. Does anyone know about any sites wich can give you any more info about reloading this one (what type of powder, how much…etc) ???
thanks

It’s w/o doubt, 9mm. But it’s due to a continuing fascination with so called “Action” shooting, i.e., USPSA, IDPA, etc.

Actually fond of doing drills during practice sessions and with decent 9mm JHP’s bought in bulk costing as much as the good lighter weight .45’s did before the copper & lead being sucked up by the Chinese and being on a fixed income… It’d the only way to shoot quite a bit and not “go broke” !

All that said, still won’t let the 1911’s in .45 & .40 lay dormant, so enjoy doing a “Charlie Petty” by loading and shooting them for as much accuracy as can wring out of them via precision handloading. Too much fun not to shoot them………

I load .32acp, 380acp. .38/.357, .45acp & .45 colt. Most is .45acp to practice with carry pistols.
Lately have started playing with “cowboy” single actions & lever rifles in .357 & .45 colt so may change a little. Little stuff is for practice rounds for my wife’s purse guns.

Sometimes it depends on my mood on what handgun I take out and practice with. Since I have three 9mm handguns….I have a tendency to burn more 9mm than the 40 S&W’s or my 45 ACP’s. Last on the list is rounds for my 357 Mag then the lowly 38 Special. It really has nothing to do with the round as it does with the handguns. Revolvers…357 and the 38 Special….these handguns are for it must work under any conditions. Hence…these are the two handguns I travel with. So I use them in training of course.

Casting is actually simplified…I cast four different bullets. 230 Grain for the 45 ACP’s…175 Grain for the 40 S&W’s…and 124 Grain for the 9mm’s…and 158 Grain for the 357 and 38 Special….all tumble lube Lee molds and bullets sized before and after sizing.

This poll doesn’t involve rifle cartridge reloading (And that is in addition to reloading for handguns!!)…but one can see that you can spend a whole lot of time reloading and the related procedures needed to reload. And let’s not get into the firearms maintenance/cleaning.

Price a box of 45 ACP ammo ain’t cheap these days. Even Wolf/Tulammo will run close to $20.00 with tax. Reloading takes time…but unless you are rolling with $$$$$$$…well…I could not train if I did not reload.

I hold the .38 Special in high regard, it’s my favorite round. The recoil is mild, it’s cheap to reload with cast bullets and accuracy is right up there. That said, the .45 ACP comes a close 2nd with me. When I feeling like packing some serious heat I “traigo mi cuarenta y cinco” as the Mexican folk song goes. But when packin’ around town the .38 usually is the one along for the ride simply because those J-Frame S&Ws are so handy.

In this culture where men can’t spit, cuss and talk about fine looking women like we used to, it’s good to know that we can still strap a manly thing like a revolver or .45 auto on our hip and bop tin cans all day. Being able to do it with reloads that you made yourself just makes it that much more fun.